Agriculture

Industrial hemp 'farmers talk' Saturday in FM

For farmers interested in finding out more about the possibility of raising a crop that is newly legal in Colorado, Infinity Industrial Hemp Seed of Wiggins will host a Farmers Talk on the subject.

The event will happen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 219 E. Railroad Ave. in Fort Morgan.

Wiggins residents Lloyd and Karen Crews will present an overview of this new agricultural industry and "how a small farmer or rancher can get in on the ground floor," according to a press release.

As of March 1, Colorado farmers and ranchers could start seeking permits from the Colorado Department of Agriculture to produce industrial hemp.

"This marks the first functioning hemp program in the United States in well over 60 years," the release stated.

Industrial Hemp is seeking to provide farmers with the information they need to get started in this industry.

The event will include a presentation and question-and-answer session with James McVaney, who is a Colorado help consultant and the director of Industrial Hemp in Colorado

McVaney will show farmers "what they can expect from this new industry," the release stated. He also will go over a sample business plan for industrial hemp farming.

There also will be a presentation about the regulations for the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Hemp Program and the application process.

The idea is to inform northeast Colorado growers enough to get them started yet this year, according to the release.

Infinity Industrial Hemp Seed is a northeast Colorado business that seeks to "provide quality seed stock and to encourage the growth of the industry through establishing business relations with area farmers who also want to capitalize on Colorado's newest economy — industrial hemp," according to the release.

Seating at the event is limited. To RSVP or for more information contact Lloyd Crews at 303-587-8075 or email at Lloyd@hempincolorado.com.